6 Effective Preventive Measures You Can Follow If You Are Rh Negative

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Once your pregnancy is confirmed, your doctor will ask you to undergo a number of tests. Your partner too will be tested to ensure that he is healthy and fine.

It is quite natural for you to feel overwhelmed with so many tests and procedures involved. One such test that you will be asked to do early on in your pregnancy is the Rh factor test. Understanding what it means and why it is done will help ease your queries.

What Is The Rh Factor Test?

The rh factor test is generally recommended during one of your earliest pregnancy visits to the doctor. It is a blood test that is used to determine whether you are Rh positive or Rh negative(1). Read beow to know what does rh negative mean when pregnant:

The Rh factor, short form for Rhesus factor test, refers to a specific protein that is found on the surface of your red blood cells.

It is an inherited trait and even if it does not affect your health directly; it may affect your pregnancy.

Being Rh positive means your blood has this protein. The protein is found in most people.

Being Rh negative means your blood does not have the protein. It means you have to follow certain precautionary measures throughout your pregnancy.

In case you are Rh negative and your spouse is Rh positive, you will be placed under special care, with your doctor monitoring your pregnancy in more detail.

How Is The Rh Factor Test Done?

For this rh factor blood test, a medical practitioner at the lab will collect your blood sample from a vein in your arm.

[ Read: What Are The Tests To Be Done During Pregnancy ]

What Happens If I Am Rh-Negative?

Both Rh positive and Rh negative are normal blood characteristics. A few health complications may arise if you are tested negative and your baby-to-be is positive. This could mean that your blood will be incompatible with your baby’s blood.

Your body mistakenly identifies your baby’s blood cells as intruders and produces antibodies to attack them. This leads to a condition called fetal Rh disease which can be life threatening for your baby.

If you are tested Rh negative, your doctor will immediately place you under certain precautions.

If it is your first pregnancy, it may not harm your baby:

Sometimes during your pregnancy or at the time of birth, your baby’s blood can leak into yours and come in contact.